Raised pavement marker and method of manufacturing

Abstract

A raised pavement marker includes a marker body including a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to the top wall. The marker body further includes a plurality of side walls. Each side wall of the plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall. At least one side wall defines a recessed portion. The marker body further includes a plurality of weld lines inter-meshed with each other and disposed within the recessed portion. The raised pavement marker further includes at least one reflective layer disposed between the plurality of weld lines. The raised pavement marker further includes a retro-reflective lens positioned on the at least one side wall and fixedly coupled to the plurality of weld lines, such that the at least one reflective layer is disposed between the inner surface of the side wall and the retro-reflective lens.

Description

PA102253W002RAISED PAVEMENT MARKER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURINGTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a raised pavement marker and a method of manufacturing a raised pavement marker.Background

[0002] Raised pavement markers are widely known road infrastructure that help in providing visual indications to a driver while driving a vehicle. For example, raised pavement markers indicate traffic lanes and roadway changes, such as hills, curves, and exit ramps. Additionally, raised pavement markers may improve lane guidance, especially at night or in poor driving conditions, and may simultaneously act as speed breakers.

[0003] Some raised pavement markers typically employ retro-reflectors or retroreflective lenses, such as a micro-prismatic lens, which reflect light emanating from a headlight of an oncoming vehicle back to the driver of the vehicle to provide a visual indication. In some cases, the retroreflective lens is attached to a marker body of the raised pavement marker by welding the retroreflective lens to weld lines molded onto or otherwise provided on the marker body, e.g., using ultrasonic welding. However, the retroreflective lens may lose at least a portion of its retro-reflectivity when the retroreflective lens is welded to the weld lines, e.g., due to destruction of micro-prisms of the retroreflective lens because of the ultrasonic welding. Further, some portion of the retro-reflectivity may also be lost due to light losses and the ultrasonic welding process.Summary

[0004] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a raised pavement marker. The raised pavement marker includes a marker body including a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to the top wall. The marker body further includes a plurality of side walls. Each side wall of the plurality of side walls extends between the top wall and the bottom wall. At least one side wall of the plurality of side walls defines a recessed portion extending between an outer surface and an inner surface of the side wall. The marker body further includes a plurality of weld lines inter-meshed with each other and disposed within the recessed portion. The raised pavement marker further includes at least one reflective layer disposed between the plurality of weld lines. The raised pavement marker further includes a retro- reflective lens positioned on the at least one sidewall and fixedly coupled to the plurality of weld lines, such that the at least one reflective layer is disposed between the inner surface of the side wall and the retro-reflective lens.

[0005] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a raised pavement marker. The method includes providing a marker body including a top wall, a bottom wall opposite to the top wall, a plurality of side walls, and a plurality of weld lines inter-meshed with each other. Each side wall of the plurality of side walls extends between the top wall and the bottom wall. At least one side wall of the plurality of side walls defines a recessed portion extending between an outer surface and an inner surface of the side wall. The plurality of weld lines is disposed within the recessed portion. The method further includes providing at least one reflective layer between the plurality of weld lines. The method further includes fixedly coupling a retro-reflective lens to the plurality of weld lines. The retro-reflective lens is positioned on the at least one side wall, such that the at least one reflective layer is disposed between the inner surface of the side wall and the retro-reflective lens.

[0006] The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.Brief Description of Drawings

[0007] Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the following figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number.

[0008] FIG. l is a schematic top perspective view of a marker body of a raised pavement marker, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic top perspective view of the raised pavement marker including at least one reflective layer, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic top perspective view of the raised pavement marker including a retro-reflective lens, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0011] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of manufacturing a raised pavement marker, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Detailed Description

[0012] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part thereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0013] In the following disclosure, the following definitions are adopted.

[0014] As used herein, all numbers should be considered modified by the term “about”. As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably.

[0015] As used herein as a modifier to a property or attribute, the term “generally”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means that the property or attribute would be readily recognizable by a person of ordinary skill but without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match (e.g., within + / - 20 % for quantifiable properties).

[0016] The term “substantially”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 10% for quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match.

[0017] The term “about”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 5% for quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match.

[0018] As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” are used as identifiers. Therefore, such terms should not be construed as limiting of this disclosure. The terms “first” and “second” when used in conjunction with a feature or an element can be interchanged throughout the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0019] As used herein, “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A andB”.

[0020] As used herein, the term "pavement marker" includes road markers for delineating or designating traffic lanes or any other reflective or non-refl ective markers used for delineation or marking purposes.

[0021] As used herein, the term “film” generally refers to any kind of “thin” material, i.e., a material which has an extension in two dimensions that is large as compared to the extension in the remaining dimension, e.g., by a factor of at least 10, or at least 100 or even more.

[0022] As used herein, the term "reflective layer" generally refers to a layer of material that reflects incident light.

[0023] Raised pavement markers are widely known road infrastructure that help in providing visual indications to a driver while driving a vehicle. Some raised pavement markers typically employ retro-reflectors or retror efl ective lenses, such as a micro-prismatic lens, which reflect light emanating from a headlight of an oncoming vehicle back to the driver of the vehicle to provide a visual indication. In some cases, the retroreflective lens is attached to a marker body of the raised pavement marker by welding the retroreflective lens to weld lines molded onto or otherwise provided on the marker body, e.g., using ultrasonic welding. However, the retroreflective lens may lose at least a portion of its retro-reflectivity when the retroreflective lens is welded to the weld lines, e.g., due to destruction of micro-prisms of the retroreflective lens because of the ultrasonic welding. Further, some portion of the retro-reflectivity may also be lost due to light losses and the ultrasonic welding process.

[0024] The present disclosure provides a raised pavement marker. The raised pavement marker includes a marker body including a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to the top wall. The marker body further includes a plurality of side walls. Each side wall of the plurality of side walls extends between the top wall and the bottom wall. At least one side wall of the plurality of side walls defines a recessed portion extending between an outer surface and an inner surface of the side wall. The marker body further includes a plurality of weld lines inter-meshed with each other and disposed within the recessed portion. The raised pavement marker further includes at least one reflective layer disposed between the plurality of weld lines. The raised pavement marker further includes a retro-reflective lens positioned on the at least one side wall and fixedly coupled to the plurality of weld lines, such that the at least one reflective layer is disposed between the inner surface of the side wall and the retro-reflective lens.

[0025] The raised pavement marker of the present disclosure includes the at least one reflective layer disposed between the plurality of weld lines. Use of the at least one reflective layer may improve a retro-reflectivity of the raised pavement marker, e.g., by allowing more light to be reflected from the raised pavement marker. This may mitigate retro-reflectivity losses due to coupling of the retro-reflective lens with the weld lines, e.g., using ultrasonic welding. High initial retro-reflectivity may help in increasing a durability of the raised pavement marker in the field. In some cases, the at least one reflective layer is in the form of a reflective film, which may be cut into pieces and placed between the weld lines.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic top perspective view of a raised pavement marker 100. The raised pavement marker 100 may be a retro-reflective raised pavement marker. The raised pavement marker 100 may provide visual indications to a driver while driving a vehicle (not shown). For example, the raised pavement marker 100 may indicate traffic lanes and roadway changes, such as hills, curves, and exit ramps. In some examples, the raised pavement marker 100 may be attached to asphalt or concrete road surfaces using an adhesive. For example, the raised pavement marker 100 may be attached to the road surface to enhance pavement markings, such as traffic lane skip lines and edge lines.

[0027] In some examples, the raised pavement marker 100 may yield high intensity retro-r effected light when illuminated by vehicle headlights (or another source of light). The retro-reflected light may be seen by the driver of the vehicle, thereby receiving visual indications. Further, the raised pavement marker 100 may improve lane guidance, especially at night or in poor driving conditions, and may simultaneously act as a speed breaker. In addition to providing the visual indication, the raised pavement marker 100 may cause the vehicle to produce a “rumble” sound when the vehicle tires cross the raised pavement marker 100 and give the driver an audible warning.

[0028] In some examples, the raised pavement marker 100 may include finger grips for ease in placement and handling. In some examples, the raised pavement marker 100 may be a “two-way marker”. For example, the raised pavement marker 100 may include a retro-reflective element on two sides that are generally opposite each other. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, a shape and a design of the raised pavement marker 100 is shown by way of example only, and the shape and the design of the raised pavement marker 100 may vary based on application requirements.

[0029] The raised pavement marker 100 includes a marker body 102. In some examples, the marker body 102 may be made of an impact resistant material, such as, but not limited to,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), acrylic, poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonates (PC), etc. In some other examples, the marker body 102 may be made from a metallic material or an alloy. In some examples, the marker body 102 is produced using at least one of an injection molding process, an extrusion process, and a compression process. Other manufacturing processes may include, e.g., die casting, thermoforming, or the like. In some examples, the marker body 102 may include, but not limited to, a trapezoidal cross section, a prismatic cross section, and a triangular cross section. The marker body 102 may be constructed in various shapes, sizes, or materials depending on the application or intended use.

[0030] The marker body 102 includes a top wall 104 and a bottom wall 106 opposite to the top wall 104. In some examples, the bottom wall 106 is suitable for attachment to the road surface via the adhesive or a suitable connector. The top wall 104 is generally placed parallel to the road surface. The marker body 102 further includes a plurality of side walls 108. Each side wall 108 of the plurality of side walls 108 extends between the top wall 104 and the bottom wall 106. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the plurality of side walls 108 includes two side walls 108. However, the marker body 102 may include any number of the side walls 108 based on application requirements.

[0031] In some examples, the at least one side wall 108 is inclined obliquely with respect to the bottom wall 106. An inclination angle of the at least one side wall 108 may vary from about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees. Preferably, the inclination angle may vary from 15 degrees to 45 degrees. The at least one side wall 108 of the plurality of side walls 108 defines a recessed portion 118 extending between an outer surface 110 and an inner surface 112 of the side wall 108. In some examples, the recessed portion 118 may be in the form of a cavity in the at least one side wall 108. In some examples, the recessed portion 118 may receive a retro-reflective lens.

[0032] The marker body 102 further includes a plurality of weld lines 114 inter-meshed with each other and disposed within the recessed portion 118. Each weld line 114 of the plurality of weld lines 114 extends away from the inner surface 112 of the side wall 108. In some examples, the plurality of weld lines 114 may be formed on the inner surface 112 of the side wall 108, e.g., via injection molding. Alternatively, the plurality of weld lines 114 may be fixedly coupled to the inner surface 112 of the side wall 108, e.g., via an adhesive, welding, etc. In some examples, the plurality of weld lines 114 is inter-webbed to each other resulting in formation of various compartments.

[0033] In some examples, the various compartments formed due to connections between the plurality of weld lines 114 may help to compartmentalize a damage incurred by the retroreflective lens to a single compartment of the various compartments. Therefore, localization further controls the damage along a length and a breadth of the retroreflective lens. The compartmentalization of the damage within the plurality of weld lines 114 further protects the retroreflective lens from incurring damage from dust or water ingress. Further, the compartmentalization helps in restricting a chipping of the retroreflective lens as a whole also.

[0034] In some examples, the plurality of weld lines 114 forms a honeycomb shape 116 including a plurality of hexagonal regions 120. However, the plurality of weld lines 114 may form other shapes, such as, but not limited to, octagonal, triangular, trapezoidal, circular, irregular, polygonal, oval, elliptical, etc.

[0035] FIG. 2. is a schematic top perspective view of the raised pavement marker 100 including at least one reflective layer 122 disposed between the plurality of weld lines 114. In some embodiments, the at least one reflective layer 122 may reflect light incident on the at least one reflective layer 122. For example, the at least one reflective layer 122 may be in the form of a paint or a coating with a reflecting surface. In some examples, the at least one reflective layer 122 may be a silver colored paint. In some embodiments, the reflective layer 122 is a reflective film.

[0036] Commercially available products from 3M company, St. Paul, MN, may be utilized for the reflective layer 122 or the reflective film, e.g., those available under trade designation “3M DF 2000MA” or “3M Specular film”, “3M Light Enhancement Film (LEF)”, “3M Dichroic Glass Finish Film”, “3M Scotchlite™ Reflective Material”, or any other reflective film or material. In some examples, the reflective film can also be a retro-reflective film, e.g., “3M Diamond Grade™ Translucent Reflective Sheeting”, or any other suitable retro-reflective film. In some examples, the reflective film is produced through die cutting. Specifically, the plurality of reflective layers 122 (or the reflective films) are produced through die cutting. In some embodiments, one or more hexagonal regions 120 of the plurality of hexagonal regions 120 are empty.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the at least one reflective layer 122 includes a plurality of reflective layers 122. Each reflective layer 122 of the plurality of reflective layers 122 is disposed within a corresponding hexagonal region 120 of the plurality of hexagonal regions 120 of the honeycomb shape 116. Specifically, in some examples, each reflective layer 122 of theplurality of reflective layers 122 is fixed within a depth of the corresponding hexagonal region 120, e.g., via adhesive, welding, etc. or any other suitable method.

[0038] FIG. 3. is a schematic top perspective view of the raised pavement marker 100, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG.3, the plurality of weld lines 114 forms one or more triangular shapes 126.

[0039] The raised pavement marker 100 further includes a retro-reflective lens 124 positioned on the at least one side wall 108 and fixedly coupled to the plurality of weld lines 114 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), such that the at least one reflective layer 122 (shown in FIG. 2) is disposed between the inner surface 112 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the side wall 108 and the retro-reflective lens 124. In some examples, the retro-reflective lens 124 is fixedly coupled to the plurality of weld lines 114 through ultrasonic welding. However, other suitable joining processes may be utilized based on application requirements and intended use. In some examples, the retro-reflective lens 124 may be a micro-prismatic retro-reflective lens, e.g., “3M Micro-prismatic Retro-reflective Lens”. In some examples, the retro-reflective lens 124 is made from an impact resistant material. The impact resistant material may include, but not limited to, Acrylic, Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and Polycarbonates (PC).

[0040] Since the at least one side wall 108 is inclined obliquely with respect to the bottom wall 106, an impact of the tires on the raised pavement marker 100 may be reduced. Further, the recessed portion 118 may provide a receiving area that enables the retro-reflective lens 124 to be optimally positioned for use. In some examples, the marker body 102 may be constructed in various forms. In the illustrated example, the marker body 102 is made solid where the retro-reflective lens 124 is attached to the at least one side wall 108, i.e., attached to the marker body 102 on top of the recessed portion 118. In some examples, the retror effective lens 124 may include an abrasion-resistant coating or an overlay in order to reduce damage or wear.

[0041] In some examples, the retro-reflective lens 124 is disposed within the recessed portion 118 of the at least one side wall 108. A light incident on a top surface of the retroreflective lens 124 passes through the retroreflective lens 124 and is reflected by the at least one reflective layer 122 back to the light source. Therefore, the at least one reflective layer 122 between the retroreflective lens 124 and the inner surface 112 of the marker body 102 may help to improve a retro-reflectivity of the raised pavement marker 100 by reducing light losses. In some examples, the retro-reflectivity of the raised pavement marker 100 may be improved by at least 10%, or at least 20%,or at least 30%, or at least 40%, or at least 50% as measured through a photometric machine for different colors. In some examples, the retro-reflectivity of the raised pavement marker 100 may improve by at least 25%. Furthermore, in some other embodiments, since the retro-reflective lens 124 is only coupled to the plurality of weld lines 114, the deformation of the retro-reflective lens 124 is minimized. This may result in an increased coefficient of luminous intensity or enhanced reflectivity properties of the retroreflective lens 124, along with the reflective layer 122.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 200 of manufacturing a raised pavement marker (e.g., the raised pavement marker 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3). The method 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, at step 202, the method 200 includes providing the marker body 102 including the top wall 104, the bottom wall 106 opposite to the top wall 104, the plurality of side walls 108, and the plurality of weld lines 114 inter-meshed with each other. The method 200 further includes producing the marker body 102 using at least one of an injection molding process, an extrusion process, and a compression process.

[0044] Each side wall 108 of the plurality of side walls 108 extends between the top wall 104 and the bottom wall 106. At least one side wall 108 of the plurality of side walls 108 defines the recessed portion 118 extending between the outer surface 110 and the inner surface 112 of the side wall 108. In some examples, the at least one side wall 108 is inclined obliquely with respect to the bottom wall 106.

[0045] The plurality of weld lines 114 is disposed within the recessed portion 118. In some examples, each weld line 114 of the plurality of weld lines 114 extends away from the inner surface 112 of the side wall 108. In some examples, the plurality of weld lines 114 forms the honeycomb shape 116 including the plurality of hexagonal regions 120. In some examples, the plurality of weld lines 114 forms one or more triangular shapes 126.

[0046] At step 204, the method 200 further includes providing the at least one reflective layer 122 between the plurality of weld lines 114. In some examples, the at least one reflective layer 122 is a reflective film. In some examples, the method 200 further includes producing the reflective film through die cutting. In some examples, the least one reflective layer 122 includes the plurality of reflective layers 122. Providing the at least one reflective layer 122 includes providing each reflective layer 122 of the plurality of reflective layers 122 within a corresponding hexagonal region 120 of the plurality of hexagonal regions 120 of the honeycomb shape 116. Insome examples, one or more hexagonal regions 120 of the plurality of hexagonal regions 120 are empty.

[0047] At step 206, the method 200 further includes fixedly coupling the retro-reflective lens 124 to the plurality of weld lines 114. The retro-reflective lens 124 is positioned on the at least one side wall 108, such that the at least one reflective layer 122 is disposed between the inner surface 112 of the side wall 108 and the retro-reflective lens 124. The method 200 further includes positioning the retro-reflective lens 124 within the recessed portion 118 of the at least one side wall 108. The method 200 further includes fixedly coupling the retro-reflective lens 124 to the plurality of weld lines 114 through ultrasonic welding. In some examples, a welding horn for ultrasonic welding the retro-reflective lens 124 to the plurality of weld lines 114 may be modified, e.g., by including a shape formed by the plurality of weld lines 114 instead of a flat surface. By utilizing this ultrasonic welding technique to couple the retro-reflective lens 124 only to the plurality of weld lines 114, a deformation of the retro-reflective lens 124 and its micro prism structure, may be minimized. This, in turn, enhances the coefficient of luminous intensity or the reflectivity properties of the retro-reflective lens 124, along with the reflective layer 122. In some cases, the retro-reflectivity of the raised pavement marker 100 may be improved by at least 30%.

[0048] It should be understood that steps of the method 200 are not necessarily presented in any particular order and that performance of some or all the steps in an alternative order(s) is possible and is contemplated. The steps have been presented in the demonstrated order for ease of description and illustration. Further, it should be understood that steps can be added, omitted and / or performed simultaneously without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, it should also be understood that the illustrated method 200 can be ended at any time.

[0049] The raised pavement marker 100 of the present disclosure includes the at least one reflective layer 122 disposed between the plurality of weld lines 114. Use of the at least one reflective layer 122 may improve a retro-reflectivity of the raised pavement marker 100, e.g., by allowing more light to be reflected from the raised pavement marker 100. This may mitigate retro-reflectivity losses due to coupling of the retro-reflective lens 124 with the weld lines 114, e.g., using ultrasonic welding. High initial retro-reflectivity may help in increasing a durability of the raised pavement marker 100 in the field. In some cases, the at least one reflective layer 122 includes the reflective film, which may be cut into pieces and placed between the weld lines 114.

[0050] In the present detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The illustrated embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of all embodiments according to the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0051] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

[0052] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A raised pavement marker comprising :a marker body comprising:a top wall;a bottom wall opposite to the top wall;a plurality of side walls, each side wall of the plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein at least one side wall of the plurality of side walls defines a recessed portion extending between an outer surface and an inner surface of the side wall; anda plurality of weld lines inter-meshed with each other and disposed within the recessed portion;at least one reflective layer disposed between the plurality of weld lines; anda retro-reflective lens positioned on the at least one side wall and fixedly coupled to the plurality of weld lines, such that the at least one reflective layer is disposed between the inner surface of the side wall and the retro-reflective lens.

2. The raised pavement marker of claim 1, wherein the retro-reflective lens is fixedly coupled to the plurality of weld lines through ultrasonic welding.

3. The raised pavement marker of claim 1, wherein the marker body is produced using at least one of an injection molding process, an extrusion process, and a compression process.

4. The raised pavement marker of claim 1, wherein the retro-reflective lens is disposed within the recessed portion of the at least one side wall.

5. The raised pavement marker of claim 1, wherein the at least one side wall is inclined obliquely with respect to the bottom wall.

6. The raised pavement marker of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weld lines forms a honeycomb shape comprising a plurality of hexagonal regions.

7. The raised pavement marker of claim 6, wherein the least one reflective layer comprises a plurality of reflective layers, and wherein each reflective layer of the plurality of reflective layers is disposed within a corresponding hexagonal region of the plurality of hexagonal regions of the honeycomb shape.

8. The raised pavement marker of claim 6, wherein one or more hexagonal regions of the plurality of hexagonal regions are devoid of the at least one reflective layer.

9. The raised pavement marker of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weld lines forms one or more triangular shapes.

10. The raised pavement marker of claim 1, wherein the at least one reflective layer is a reflective film.

11. The raised pavement marker of claim 10, wherein the reflective film is produced through die cutting.

12. The raised pavement marker of claim 1, wherein each weld line of the plurality of weld lines extends away from the inner surface of the side wall.

13. A method of manufacturing a raised pavement marker, method comprising:providing a marker body comprising a top wall, a bottom wall opposite to the top wall, a plurality of side walls, and a plurality of weld lines inter-meshed with each other, wherein each side wall of the plurality of side walls extends between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein at least one side wall of the plurality of side walls defines a recessed portion extending between an outer surface and an inner surface of the side wall, and wherein the plurality of weld lines is disposed within the recessed portion;providing at least one reflective layer between the plurality of weld lines; andfixedly coupling a retro-reflective lens to the plurality of weld lines, wherein the retro-reflective lens is positioned on the at least one side wall, such that the at least one reflective layer is disposed between the inner surface of the side wall and the retro-reflective lens.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising fixedly coupling the retro-reflective lens to the plurality of weld lines through ultrasonic welding.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising producing the marker body using at least one of an injection molding process, an extrusion process, and a compression process.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising positioning the retro-reflective lens within the recessed portion of the at least one side wall.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one side wall is inclined obliquely with respect to the bottom wall.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of weld lines forms a honeycomb shape comprising a plurality of hexagonal regions.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the least one reflective layer comprises a plurality of reflective layers, and wherein providing at least one reflective layer comprises providing each reflective layer of the plurality of reflective layers within a corresponding hexagonal region of the plurality of hexagonal regions of the honeycomb shape.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein one or more hexagonal regions of the plurality of hexagonal regions are devoid of the least one reflective layer.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of weld lines forms one or more triangular shapes.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one reflective layer is a reflective film.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising producing the reflective film through die cutting.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein each weld line of the plurality of weld lines extends away from the inner surface of the side wall.

Images